Despite being marred by several controversies and facing opposition from political parties and state governments, Prakash Jha's much-hyped movie 'Aarakashan' has managed to earn average collection during the first five days of its release.
Uttar Pradesh, the biggest market for Hindi movies in the country, is yet to give the green signal, while Punjab and Andhra Pradesh delayed its release, but the movie has done very well in Maharashtra, and some of the northern states.
It is learnt that in the first phase the expected net box office collection is about Rs 27 crores in India and abroad. The good news for Jha is, the movie is earning average collections in both single screen as well as multiplexes.
If Uttar Pradesh allows the screening of the movie, it will surely make some profit, souces say.
Aarakshan, primarily based on caste-based reservation system in education in the first part, and then diverting its attention to coaching classes in the second half, has received mixed reviews from critics. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, Prateik Babbar and Manoj Bajpayee, the movie released on August 12 was reportedly produced at a cost of Rs 42 crores.
On August 19 there are a couple of new movies in line for release, and it will be a big challenge for Aarakshan to remain in the box office. Ram Gopal Verma's much-awaited 'Not a Love Story,' a movie based on Maria Susairaj and Jerome Mathew, the accused in the sensational Neeraj Grover murder case, has already started gathering public attention. Sanjay Dutt's long pending 'Chatur SIngh Two Star' is also releasing the same week.
There are two more low-profile movies releasing on August 19 which can play a significant role in the market. One of them is Cover Story, the official remake of Dutch film 'Interview ' which was also remade in Hollywood with Sienna Miller in the lead role. Jackie Shroff and Sheena Nayyar play the lead roles in the Hindi version.
Parvin Dabas' directorial debut Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is the other low profile movie releasing at the same time.
It would be interesting to see how these new movies effect Aarakshan's run at the theatres.
